After fighting for decades to be restored to federal recognition, the Wilton Rancheria is on track to secure a homeland for the first time in 50 years. Jim Cooper, an Assemblymember who represents the 9th District in California, explains how the tribe's casino will benefit the community:

On July 19, Gov. Jerry Brown took an important step in the tribe’s path to self-sufficiency when he signed a tribal gaming compact with Wilton Rancheria for its plans to build a resort and casino on the site of the city’s abandoned “ghost mall.” Like other recent compacts, this one includes a range of provisions, from oversight, labor and licensing, to environmental protection, public safety and community investment. As the Assemblyman representing the region that includes Elk Grove, I am privileged to have introduced Assembly Bill 1606, which will take the next step: ratification of the compact by the Legislature.

The Wilton Rancheria project is vital to the future of Elk Grove and the surrounding region. It will create thousands of well-paying jobs – something Elk Grove needs and must have.

It will mean opportunities for small businesses, from printers and recyclers to food and beverage providers. Under long-term deals with Elk Grove and Sacramento County, Wilton Rancheria will invest more than $180 million in the first 20 years of the project to improve public safety, traffic, schools and community programs. And the resort and casino will create in Elk Grove the second-largest convention center in Sacramento County, as well as a luxury hotel, fine-dining options and concert venues. This is why dozens of leading organizations – business, labor, police, environmental, religious, governmental and other groups – strongly support the project.